The former minister stated that the budget ignored the impact of rising costs for essential commodities.

Punjab Denied Special Package Again: Balbir Sidhu Terms Union Budget ‘Disappointing and Anti-Farmer’

Former Punjab Health Minister and Senior Punjab Congress leader Balbir Singh Sidhu has given a sharp reaction to the Union Budget and described it as "anti-Punjab" and "anti-farmer". Sidhu expressed deep disappointment, asserting that the budget has completely ignored the interests of the middle class, industries and its agricultural community.

Sidhu highlighted that despite Punjab’s crucial role as the food bowl of India, the Union Government failed to provide any special incentives for the state’s farmers. He said that there was no mention of a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), a long-standing demand of the farming community. He stressed that despite Punjab being crippled by massive debt and distress in the farming sector, the Union Budget offered no specialised financial relief, further sidelining the state’s economic needs."

Criticising the lack of relief for common households, the former minister stated that the budget ignored the impact of rising costs for essential commodities and fuel. He emphasized that by failing to provide tax breaks or job-creating measures, the Centre has effectively abandoned the middle class and Punjab's struggling MSME sector."

He concluded by stating that the budget reflects the Union Government’s "stepmotherly treatment" toward Punjab, failing to address the state’s mounting debt and infrastructure needs.

Source: The Tribune